Pages

September 2, 2005

CUNARD PRESS RELEASE - QE2 HISTORY AS LONGEST SERVING...

This is a Cunard Press release dated: SEPTEMBER 1, 2005 - 07:01 ET

QE2 Becomes The Longest Serving Cunarder Ever

LONDON, ENGLAND--(CCNMatthews - Sep. 1, 2005) -

The most famous ship in the world, Queen Elizabeth 2, reaches a notable milestone on Sunday 4 September when she becomes the longest serving Cunarder ever. When she entered service in 1969 city analysts prophesied that QE2 would be mothballed within six months - that the age of the liner was dead. How wrong they were!

On Sunday QE2 will pass the 36 years 4 months and 2 days' record of service of Scythia, which sailed from 1921 to 1957.

QE2 was also the Cunard flagship for longer than any other - from 1969 until she handed over the role to Queen Mary 2 last year. In November last year she became the longest serving Cunard express liner when she passed the 35 years 6 months and 1 day record previously set by Aquitania, which served Cunard Line, in peace and in two wars, from May 1914 to December 1949.

This historic event will be marked on board QE2 with a special dinner, the unveiling of a plaque and all passengers will receive a certificate acknowledging their presence on board.

Fittingly the vessel will be berthed in Sydney, Nova Scotia. It was Nova Scotian Samuel Cunard who founded Cunard Line in 1839.

A Record Unlike Any Other

QE2 has sailed more than 5.3 million nautical miles - that's more than any ship in history and is equivalent to travelling to the moon and back 12 times. She has carried nearly three million passengers - many of them returning again and again to their second home. She has called at her homeport of Southampton 651 times and has completed 1,383 voyages. She has made 796 Atlantic crossings and completed 23 full World Voyages. She has sailed at an average speed of 24.75 knots over the last 36 years and she can sail backwards faster than most cruise ships can sail forwards! One gallon of fuel moves her just 49.5 feet! She has been commanded so far by 24 Captains.

A History Unlike Any Other

QE2 was launched by Her Majesty the Queen in 1967 and was the last passenger ship to be built on the Clyde. For the last 36 years QE2 has been the most famous passenger liner in the world, making headlines throughout her career.

She was one of the star attractions when she led the Tall Ships into New York Harbour for the Statue of Liberty's centenary celebrations in 1986; over one million sightseers flocked to see her when she called at Liverpool for the first time during Cunard's 150th anniversary celebrations in 1990 and she was at the head of the flotilla reviewed by the Queen on the 50th Anniversary of 'D' Day in 1994.

However, QE2's history has not only been one of sedate cruises, ecstatic welcomes and luxury living. In 1982, she was requisitioned by the Government for service in the Falklands Campaign - and so joined the ranks of the great Cunarders called upon to serve the country in times of conflict.

QE2 goes from great things to greater, and many sailings this year - her second season of European cruises - were completely sold out.

- Ends -

Notes to Editors

A complete list of QE2 Fun Facts and Statistics is attached. A complete fact sheet on QE2 is available on request.

* probably the most misnamed ship in the world. She is Queen Elizabeth 2, not Queen Elizabeth II.

* the most famous ship in operation.

* the only ship to be awarded Five Stars by the RAC.

* the largest consumer of caviar on earth.

* the fastest merchant ship in operation, capable of speeds of up to 34 knots (cruising speed 28.5 knots).

Unbelievable!

* She cost just over GBP 29 million to build in 1969 - since then Cunard has spent more than fifteen times that amount on refits and refurbishments.

* The GBP 100 million cost of re-engining her in 1986 / 87 is the largest amount ever spent on such a project. Her steam turbines had taken her a total of 2,622,858 million nautical miles - the equivalent of 120 times around the world - and were replaced by the present diesel electric propulsion system.

* On 13 June 1999, QE2 exceeded 175,290 hours of steaming time - that equates to exactly 20 years on the move (including four leap years).

* Cunard's first ship Britannia, would fit into QE2's Grand Lounge.

* One gallon of fuel moves QE2 49.5 feet; with the previous steam turbine engines, one gallon of fuel moved the ship 36 feet.

* The diesel electric system produces 130,000 hp, which is the most powerful propulsion plant of any merchant ship in the world.